India is on the cusp of the third generation of economic reforms. From information technology to consumer goods; big brands to start-ups, rural development to smart cities; Make in India to Digital India, the country is taking the next leap forward, but challenges remain.

For one, India's population continues to grow swiftly. Everyday, close to 85,000 babies are born, or 30 million newbies are ready to join the workforce annually. Population growth makes it imperative to have faster economic growth, which comes at a steep cost environment. If China's experience is anything to go by, rampant economic growth can spell ecological disaster.

Herein lies the challenge for the next leap forward - learn lessons from the path taken by other developed countries and emerging markets. Urbanize but also provide urban ameneties in rural areas in order to keep a check on large scale migration from villages and mofussil towns to the cities. Build smart cities but also be smart enough to tackle eco-hazards.

These are some of the many issues which are taken up by academics, researchers, businessmen, consultants, educationists and management professionals in this anthology of essays on India's socio-economy. India's Next Leap Forward is a sequel to an earlier compendium of essays, "What's Up ! What's Down !", put together by the journlist duo of Mohindru & Singh in 2013-14. Written in an easy to read style, it makes a complex subject interesting for the Aam Aadmi, particularly those preparing for competitive examinations.

A new compilation of essays by Gurdip Singh and Sameer C Mohindru has for the first time brought together under a single umbrella some of the leading minds in the world of academics and business who have followed the India story closely through various trials and tribulations for decades.

The book is dedicated to the Delhi braveheart girl, who was brutally raped on 16th December 2012 in Delhi. The two journalists who have edited the book closely followed and reported on the tragedy while she was undergoing treatment in Singapore.

The incident sent shock waves the world over. India once again finds itself under the magnifying glass as its economy flounders and society comes under severe strain for the heinous crimes against women.

The idea of putting together the book germinated while interviewing more than two dozen entrepreneurs, researchers, economists, businessmen and bureaucrats, who termed the tragedy as part of a bigger socio-economic malaise.

Among those who have contributed to or have been interviewed for the book are Piyush Gupta, CEO of DBS Group; Ambassador Gopinath Pillai, an entreprenuer with investments in India; Dr V P Nair, a leading cardiologist; Amir Jumabhoy, a prominent businessman; Girija Pande, former chairman of Tata Consultancy Services in Singapore; Tejinder Narang, noted commodities columnist and R. Narayananmohan, chairman of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The book looks at various issues relating to doing business and making investments in India.

This book is a useful read for anyone who needs to understand the policies and obstacles in the mega-market of 1.3 billion people which offers potential investment opportunities worth trillions of dollars. Written in an easy to read style, it makes a complex subject interesting for the commoner and those preparing for competitive examinations.